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LARGE 8 INCH MUSEUM GRADE BEAUTIFUL BANDED QUARTZITE ACHEULIAN HANDAXE MADE BY HOMO ERGASTER (ERECTUS) Exposed Site - Algerian Sahara Desert, North Africa LOWER PALEOLITHIC PERIOD (ACHEULIAN): 1.2 million - 500,000 years ago This rare Saharan Acheulian handaxe was made and used by Homo ergaster (African Homo erectus). It was surface-collected from an exposed Acheulian site in the Northern Sahara Desert of North Africa. This Lower Paleolithic tool represents the first intelligent design type known to science that was made by primitive humans. Prior to these Saharan Acheulian tools, only crude pebble tools existed in the human fossil record. This remarkably aesthetic Acheulian bifacial handaxe made of an uncommon banded quartzite must have been a coveted tool of prestige to its original Homo ergaster maker and owner a million years ago as much as it would be appreciated today for its stunning workmanship and color. It is an investment-grade example and one of the finest we have ever offered in both size AND color. Specimens like this are one in many, many thousands. Collectors consider prized features to include either workmanship or color but when BOTH exist, then it is truly an important piece to include in a collection as this one is. The vast majority of quartzite tools from this culture and geographical region are made of a homogenous color quartzite. The gentle banding in the stone is really impressive and unique! The entire handaxe is intact and in the finest condition. The tip is still sharp and as made with a trihedral pick typology. The original primitive human maker was ingenious in its design as a portion of the original naturally round outer surface from the original untouched stone was retained and utilized in the design as a comfortable grip for the base of the hand when held. An axe of this proportion would have been perfectly suited for heavy killing blows or bone-piercing butchering tasks to get to the marrow on large game carcasses. It represents a kind of specimen that is rarely seen outside of well-fitted private collections or museum inventories. Entire axe exhibits a well-executed design and possesses a fine soft desert patina from millennia of exposure to the red Saharan sands. Excellent original secondary flaking can be seen along the edges down both sides to the point. This is a VERY RARE INVESTMENT GRADE example that is in "as found" ORIGINAL condition. NO REPAIR and NO RESTORATION. This specimen was decommissioned from our private museum collection and will be the only one like it to be offered for sale. GENUINE Acheulian hand axes of this quality and size are rare and recent realized prices at major auction houses are proving what we have been saying for years that authentic high grade tools of primitive man remain one of the most promising investments. In Africa, the Acheulian Tradition is well-defined and most diverse when compared to other regions where it eventually spread to. HANDAXES are the most typical bifacial tool associated with this period. Different from the bifacial tools from the earlier Oldowan Period, Acheulian tools are fashioned from large flakes as opposed to using a whole cobblestone as the core. Along with handaxes, other bifacial tools that are Acheulian are CLEAVERS (large handaxes with a flat top) and PICKS (robust elongated, trihedral tools). Other stone implements found at Acheulian sites are small tools like NOTCHES, SCRAPERS and SPHEROIDS (round flaked stone balls). Most tools of this period were fashioned from basalt or quartzite. The actual function of handaxes is debated. Some suggest they were not used as a chopping tool but for butchering game. Scientists have shown that these tools exhibit wear common to butchery uses. Other scientists have theorized they were thrown into a herd as a deadly spinning projectile. Probably the most interesting theory and one that explains why many unworn and pristine condition tools have been found abandoned is that of the tool's use not as a tool at all but as an aid to sexual attraction. Possibly, males used techniques of being able to fashion symmetrical stone axes to attract females and demonstrate they were the most capable individual for survival and support of a family. If you were a primitive human able to make a large symmetrical handaxe, this would show you were genetically superior and an excellent candidate for mating. There is much evidence that contradicts this theory but it sure is quite an interesting hypothesis. Based on the varieties of utilitarian handaxe designs, and not only obvious wear from use but actual well-thought flaking designs to best fit ones hand, there's really little doubt that these stone tools were relied upon on a daily basis for primitive man's existence. ONE OF THE FINEST LARGE COLORFUL HANDAXES OF THIS KIND WE HAVE EVER OFFERED - INVESTMENT GRADE AND RARE! 8" in length x 4" wide SOLD ACH-090 Actual Item - One Only |
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